Cafe & Coffee Shop & Pub in Wellington

“REALLY nice place, two levels with lots of nooks and crannies to hide in and great light,. plus carpet so it's warm and quiet! Their counter food is literally to die for, as is their menu. Today was the first time I tried a counter burrito and it looked and tasted like a Michelin star chef prepared it, it was superb. Add the liquor licence and delightful and efficient staff and you'll struggle to find a nicer, quieter, classier or more down to earth lunch spot. It'll please anyone you know - including that one precious friend who will never admit they like it more than the place THEY recommended. Honestly, it's better than their place :)”

“Food here is great. Huge portions and good prices. Theres always sport on and if youre look8ng for something specific if you ask the guys they will turn it on for you (assuming its available) theres also a separate area if youve got a group and the barstaff are pretty cool.”

“Oh. My. Goodness. I lived in Buenos Aires for a while and this was like stepping through a portal to those cobbled streets. The empanadas (like Cornish pasties but infinitely more delicious) are fresh and full of flavour and the croissants are actually medialunas, similar to croissants but they are sweet. They are the real deal and will blow your mind with their soft, pillowy goodness. Get the one stuffed with caramel/ dulce de leche and pair it with a black coffee for an unforgettable experience.”

“The side salad for the toasted sandwiches and paninis is an absolute banger. It's so fresh and compliments the cheesiness of the toasties. Also the location is great with a good view of lambton for people watching and the staff is lovely.”

“Great cafe by the bay! We stopped in while walking around wellington and had some coffee (the long black was excellent), a bagel, and a croissant with chocolate. The staff was very friendly and brought our coffee and food to us quickly. The view was quite nice sitting at one of the small tables out front.”

“We had breakfast for four of us on Sunday morning, service was friendly and efficient. Meals were delicious and coffee was fantastic. A cool setting and displays were very funky. Will be back next time we visit Wellington.”

“First time trying shisha, staff were great & welcoming.”

“It's been a while since I've called into Coco Kai, but they always deliver on a yummy meal. The spareribs were practically falling of the bone & delicious. The Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich with curly fries went down a treat with our Fantas to wash it all down.”

“Staying in Wellington for a couple of days and decided to stop by before flying out after seeing all the great reviews. Went first thing in the morning, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The ambience was exactly my style. I’m not even a big coffee drinker, but I could still tell how good the coffee was—distinct and different from your average spot. You can tell they care about their craft. I’ll definitely be back to try more of their coffees next time I’m in town.”

“Incredible meal and lovely night out. The service was superb, and food amazing. Considering we had 14 (I think?) courses, what was nice was having the space to feel like relaxed at dinner. We have done plenty of tasting menu's and sometimes you feel like you can't have a conversation without someone popping over and interrupting with something. It can't be easy to get the balance right on this! Wine menu also great, not the biggest selection - they probably don't have the storage space - but they were all super interesting and we enjoyed trying the tasting flight. We were asked what out favourite dish was and it was impossible to pick - it was all delicious.”

“We’ve always enjoyed the high-quality, convenient daytime meals at Sushil’s Musclechef, but our first evening dining experience was something genuinely special. The evening service offers a more intimate and refined atmosphere, paired with a thoughtful menu that highlights Sushil’s unique culinary identity—blending cultural heritage and modern flavour in a way that feels deeply personal and original. We started with the pumpkin soup with coconut, rich and comforting, and the smoked chicken Caesar salad, fresh, vibrant, and beautifully presented. The mains were outstanding: the braised lamb shank was melt-in-your-mouth tender, infused with bold, soulful flavour, while the market fish was perfectly cooked and delicately seasoned. Dessert was a highlight—the chocolate fondant, with its warm molten centre and vanilla bean ice cream, was pure indulgence. We ended the night with extra hot oat flat whites, smooth and perfectly made. While the daytime menu brings quality and convenience, the evening experience feels crafted, personal, and elevated—a reflection of Sushil’s passion for food and hospitality. His presence and care make all the difference. A special experience worth repeating. We’ll definitely be back. A true local gem. Lalo Fiso”

““No gods or kings, only cocktails.” The vibes here are super chill—perfect if you’re after something more lowkey. The place seems inspired by fantasy themes and games, giving it a mystical feel. We arrived as a group of four around 10:00 pm on a Saturday. The person serving us was really lovely, taking the time to explain the different types of drinks they offer and happily answering our questions about specific liquors or custom requests. She also made some great recommendations. We ordered the White Witch, Banana Bread (brandy), Arkangel (gin), and The Last Word (I think that’s what it was called—Chartreuse-based). I especially enjoyed how fragrant the cocktails were, with the Banana Bread and Arkangel standing out. It was also cool to learn that they make a lot of their liquors and mixers in-house— including infused boozy cucumbers. We had a great time and really appreciated the hospitality. Would definitely love to visit again next time I’m in Wellington.”

“So happy I’ve found a matcha latte that isn’t too sweet and is overflowing with umami! Great find!”

“The space is gorgeous and the staff was incredible, the service was very personal and warm. The food was incredible and unexpectedly flavoursome. We had dishes refreshungly unique and honestly the whole experience was amazing.”

“One of Wellington's hidden gems — absolutely amazing food and drink, catering to anyone's dietary requirements. Edit 2020/12/01: As of 8 months later, the food is even more amazing — a testament how the staff always welcome constructive criticism and use it to continually improve. Definitely recommended!”

“EXCELLENT. I wish we had one where I live. The baked goods are very high quality.”

“In my shortlist for best coffee in Wellington, really really good stuff. Have been here many times over a few months and each time has been great. The staff are well trained as is minimal variation in results. Great sitting outdoors too.”

“The staff are what makes this place: they are so nice and they listen carefully. My partner tells me I am the most fussy coffee customer on the planet; they listen to my order and always get it right with the perfect coffee.”

“got a flat white here. Family owned small business, food truck set up along the waterfront. Quick service and good coffee.”

“Margot has been our absolute favourite restaurant in Wellington for years now. The food is just always so delicious and never disappoints. The cocktail and wine menu is also always exciting and interesting. The spot itself is lovely and unassuming with attentive (but not overbearingly so) staff. These two vegetarians can't recommend it highly enough!”

Smith's barbers is a hair salon offering cuts and styling and men's grooming. The team is known for friendly service.

“I mean, warm, tasty empanadas, sweet, endulging homemade alfajores, classic kiwi chippies, beach side, in wellington on a nice sunny day... What more could you ask for. Need to stop here and get yourself a sweet (or two!) And a savoury if you're passing by. Highly recommend. She was lovely too.”

“Best sandwiches in Wellington and it’s not even close. It must be said the bread does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of making these Sammie’s what they are. Certainly no slouches on the filling either. Frequent menu rotation makes it easy to keep coming back for more. Good boy? That’s an understatement!!”

“We go there almost every week for lunch. Could these be the best burgers in Wellington region? The souvlaki wraps are amazing too.”

“Great place with great coffee options. Staff is extremely friendly.”

“We had a lovely time dining at Rita. The service was very friendly, professional, and attentive. The restaurant is set in a cute narrow building and they make good use of the space. The design is minimalist. We enjoyed all our dishes. Portion sizes are on the smaller side, but you’re not coming here for quantity. It’s about the quality and pairing of the ingredients. You’ll still leave feeling full. Would easily recommend to anyone looking for something new and different. Note the menu changes regularly, I think even daily. Whatever is on the menu that day is what you’ll get. Great if you struggle to make decisions!”

“Love the sister cafe in Petone and this is no different. Service with a smile, great coffee, loads of keto and veg options available and most of all, brilliant indoor and outdoor seating available. There is also a couple of 15min parks right in front for a quick turnaround. Lots of free street parking available too if you plan to eat in.”

“Great selection of GF and V food along with regular food. The sausage roll removed pastry so I could savor it! Have visited a few times in the last month. They change up the food offerings and always delights. Coffee is fabulous as expected.”

“Absolutely fantastic! Coffee is great. Atmosphere really easy and rustic (just as I love it. Something that I really loved is that they promote the use of your own cup instead of paper goblets (go green!) They also make their own pizzas. So far, the cheapest café I had in New Zealand”